Monday, August 8, 2016

a dream realized

Among my bedtime stories were my mother's art books. I have wanted this ever since I can remember.

The older I get, the more aware I am of how brief our time is. I suppose it's only natural. While staring up at the twists of spine and muscle so beautifully painted over 500 years ago, loved by so many, my vision became hot and blurred.

4 comments:

Oh, I wish I was there!!! One year ago, this September, I rode my little travel scoot into the Vatican - completely, ecstatically overwhelmed, and cried when I saw the Pieta. I spent hours roaming under the dome, and was too exhausted to get into the Sistine chapel... who's ultimate imagery forms the backbone of all my youthful painting. So now I am researching Nunnerys.... yes, next trip I am going to stay right behind the Vatican, and spend days and days just looking, sketching... and eating and drinking and... coffee!!!Your post just made my day..https://sherylmcdougald.wordpress.com/paintings/Now, have you been to Florence??? :)

How wonderful and what gorgeous pictures you present here.it is exactly 40 yrs ago that I visited the Sistine chapel. I was a moody teenager on a school trip and it meant nothing to me. Nothing! Would you believe it? But at least I remember.

I'm so happy that this post made your day! You must get back to see the chapel, it's absolutely incredible. Your paintings are beautiful Sheryl, and I can't wait to see what you sketch when you return :)

I have yet to visit Florence, but oh goodness how I want to! I teach a unit on Renaissance Art for my Grade 8 students— we look at anatomy and value, and study the life and work of the greats. I like to throw in Caravaggio even though he came later, just to show them how important light and shadow is in creating realism and drama. Now I can finally express what it's like to see some of this work in person...

There is so much depth in Renaissance art— it touches the soul. I found myself tearing up throughout the trip, and yes, the Pieta got me too. It's the way Michelangelo captured that fold of flesh on Jesus' arm as Mary tries to hold him up— that curve from the weight of his body pulling down as she lifts... That to me, is one of the most beautiful and moving things I have ever seen in my life. I loved it in books, but to stand before it— oh yes, it makes one cry!

Oh Sabine! I'm glad you remember— some things stay with you, despite all the moodiness of being a teenager. It was Van Gogh who first made me cry with a work of art, and I was a moody teenager then... I never forgot it. He became my favourite artist after that.

While in Rome, I saw some kids with their parents on holidays, and a few with summer school groups— some were amazed, but the experience was lost on most of them I think. Hopefully it will stick somewhere in the back of their mind, and they will remember that they saw something so beautiful 40 years later :)